Marlin 1894, Which one???

So I wanna save up for a Marlin 1894, Which would you suggest? I wanna have fun for less money... 357, 44, 45.. 41? Which ammo... Accuracy?

Chad

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DogBonz

April 24, 2007, 04:39 PM

I'm very strongly thnking of getting one in 357 because I have a pistol and reloading stuff in 357. I have a therad going right now to check out what others have to say about feeding, fit, finish, etc. Also, I'm trying to get my GF to shoot rifles, and the low recoil is a plus.

That said, I LOVE, repeat LOVE, the 41 mag. As soon as I get a 41 mag pistol guess what will be my next rifle purchase? But the 41 is expensive to shoot, so I will also have to get the dies and other stuff, which will drive up the over all cost.

bearmgc

April 24, 2007, 04:41 PM

If you're gonna use it for hunting , stick with the 44mag. The 41mag rounds aren't always available, unless online. For cheap plinking, the 38/357, shooting .38. My Marlin 1894 is a 44mag, and the action is realy smooth. Of course, its over 30years old and has had alot of use. it won't chamber the cor-bon loads, because they're a litlle longer OAL than the rest. But it shoots everything else about 2in groups at 50yds, iron sights.Probably could do better with a scope. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

115grfmj

April 24, 2007, 08:11 PM

the .44 is a harder hitting round for big game, but the .357 can do small game big game, plinking with .38s, new shooter education, and self defense....all with cheaper ammo prices.:neener:

Well if it was me i would get the .357cheaper and i just really want one.

AWMP

April 24, 2007, 08:52 PM

I have the 1894c ported in 44mag, great rifle, super accurate. Only draw back is ammo price, ouch.
My next purchase is the 1894 in .357 mag. My real problem is should I get the 1894c in .357mag or the Cowboy 1894 .357 Octagon Barrel 20 ". I have been trying to decide on which one for months. There is about $200.00 difference between the two, but I have been saving my nickels and dimes, so who knows.

MrBorland

April 24, 2007, 09:08 PM

If you want maximum versatility, I vote for the .357. If you re-load, it's usefulness goes up even more. If you want to only hunt deer, go .44mag. But then again, if you only want a lever gun to hunt deer or bear (doesn't sound like it), I'd probably suggest a 336 in .30-30 or .35remington.

MrBorland

April 24, 2007, 09:10 PM

For maximum versatility, I vote for the .357. If you re-load, it's usefulness goes up even more. If you want to only hunt deer, probably go .44mag. But then again, if you want a lever gun to only hunt deer or bear (doesn't sound like it), I'd probably suggest a 336 in .30-30 or .35remington.

Beagle-zebub

April 24, 2007, 09:35 PM

One thing to consider with the .44 magnum Marlin is that because the twist-rate is something like 1-38", the upper bound of your bullet weights will be about 270 grains, which rules out the big Buffalo Bore thumpers. Typical .44 mag ammo is 240 grains, though, and deer will have a tough time surviving that from a shot within 100 yards.

cslinger

April 24, 2007, 09:39 PM

.357 Maggie. Amazing little gun.

Chris

http://www.hunt101.com/img/439933-big.JPG

WJR

April 24, 2007, 11:18 PM

Very nice, cslinger.

I vote for a .357 1894 as that is my next purchase choice.

WJR

JJE

April 24, 2007, 11:30 PM

My next purchase will probably be an 1894SS in .44 Magnum. I already have a Win94 in .357 Magnum and it is a fine gun and fun to shoot, but the bigger .44 bullet would give me more peace of mind hunting deer and hogs.

3006mv

April 24, 2007, 11:42 PM

.357 magnum http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/3006mv/P9110188.jpg http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/3006mv/P9110191.jpg it is so accurate w/ 158gr reloads it is boring, but so quick handling and almost no recoil it is too fun. I like the octagon bbl cowboy 20". This is an 18.5" non checkered stock from Big 5. Finally found a nice leather sling w/ swivels for it from Cabelas for less than $25. Was thinking of getting the Marlin one http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Store/Category.aspx?category=Slings& but couldn't pass up the deal from Cabelas.

mgh

April 25, 2007, 06:00 AM

I decided to get a 1894 a few months ago, in .357. I went with the Cowboy model, even though I hated to pay more. I do Cowboy Action Shooting, and I don't regret the extra dinero. Balance is perfect, it's a joy to shoot. I shoot a lot of .38's, never had a jam. My buddy got the regular non-Cowboy .357, he loves his too. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Dr.Rob

April 25, 2007, 06:28 AM

Unless you reallllly want the octagon barrel, the cowboy might not be your cup of tea. They sell for almost $200 more (OK cheapest 1894 I found, $414, cheapest 1894 CB, $592)

The cowboy doesn't have sling swivels or a recoil pad.

So of course I had to have one.

.44 Magnum of course. (To me this is the most flexible cartridge IF hunting is in your plans, if not the 357/38 is dandy.)

I have a 1894 in .357 and also one in .44. The .357 is much less picky about the ammo it shoots. The .44 is over bored and will shoot no .429 ammo well. It does shoot Hornady bullets size .430 with a full load of H110 and Oregon Trail cast size .431 with a light load of AA#2. Unfortunately the .44 came out of the box with the dreaded Marlin Jam and at present I can shoot it only as a single shot. I will probably try to have it fixed locally as I hate to take the time and trouble to ship it back to Marlin,
RJ

floridaboy

April 25, 2007, 04:16 PM

I'm a distinct minority here, but I say try the .45 I have a Rossi w/ 20" barrel and love it. Fast handling, 2" groups at 75 yds., and shoots 300 gr hollowpoints at 1250 fps. Then all you need is a .45 revolver to match up with it, like my Ruger with .45 colt and .45 acp cylinders.:p

Brian Williams

April 25, 2007, 04:29 PM

C, in 357
Nothing better

treeprof

April 25, 2007, 10:25 PM

I like the Marlin 1894: I have an 1894C, an 1894P (.44 ported), an 1894PG (.44 pistol grip) and an 1894SS (.44 stainless). If you just wanna plink, I'd get an 1894C. If I could only keep one of mine, it'd be the 1894SS

GigaBuist

April 26, 2007, 12:05 AM

Well, whatever you go with I'm sure you'll get a good and useful firearm.

Myself, I own an 1894C and it's just perfect for me. I don't hunt, but am open to the idea, so the .357 loads from Buffalo Bore should do me fine in that area.

Mostly I use it for plinking on the range. It's a hoot, and anybody that's ever shot it loves it. I brought my brother out to the range one day, a non-gunnie, and we had an AR, AK, and the 1894C. Guess which one was the most fun for him. Yep, the 1894C. :)

If you just want a gun for fun I think it wins hands down. You can find .38spl ammo cheaper than any of the other possible calibers out there.

That little 1984C manages to find its way to the range more often than any other single long arm I own. I love it. It could very well prove to be the best gun purhase I ever made.

cslinger

April 26, 2007, 12:08 AM

Guess which one was the most fun for him. Yep, the 1894C.

You know what is funny? My experience is totally opposite, non gunnies always gravitate towards the EBRs, AR15s, Semi Auto handguns etc. with me. I am always the one shooting the "Obsolete" :rolleyes: revolver and lever guns. Hey they just don't have enough experience to know where the real fun is, I guess.

ArfinGreebly

April 26, 2007, 03:39 AM

Naturally, whatever I own is what you should also have.

It's called the "gun cabinet oracle" -- whatever's in my cabinet is the right answer.

And the right answer is 1894C in .357 mag.

DWARREN123

April 26, 2007, 07:52 AM

Marlin 1894, 357mag/38spl. Will not get any less expensive. Not a bench rest gun but fun and a close in hunter.

byf43

April 26, 2007, 12:02 PM

My vote goes to the .44 magnum.

I had the 1894S and was really fond of this little rifle. Incredibly accurate.
I put a Williams peep sight on it (frame mounted) and it shot my handloads really well, as well as Winchester and Federal factory stuff.

It was NOT finicky, at all.

A friend got a case of the 'Got to Have That' syndrome, and offered me an insane amount for it.
It now resides in his gunsafe.

I think that I was insane for selling it.

Go with the .44 magnum, then buy the .357 magnum, because of "The Rule of Two".

Thanks for reading.

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